L U N A T A L K with Eva Moon

Snarkfree Sailing

March 28, 2009 on 11:28 am | 2 people have joined the conversation. We need you too. | In General Musing, Travel

I’ve been trying to think of the wry angle on this, but I don’t think it’s susceptible to snark. This was just one of those bucket list experiences you want to soak up and remember for the rest of your life. I’ll save the snark for something else and let the pictures do most of the talking.

We flew down to southern California to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 80th birthday at my sister-in-law’s beach house. By chance, a friend, Steven Van Hook, lives an easy kayak paddle up the marina from where were staying and he volunteered to take us sailing. Twice!

I’ve never been on a sailboat in my life, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. One thing I found out was that sails are more like wings than parachutes. I also found out that Bonine works for me, thank god!

Conditions were perfect with light winds, calm waters and brilliant sunshine. Our boat “Imagine” is 33-feet long and very pretty. We got the basic “five H’s” spiel from Skipper Steve (hands, head, heeling, help and, of course, hurling) and then motored out of Channel Islands Harbor and set sail towards the islands. (And now the phrase “set sail” actually means something to me. So does “taking a different tack.” Who knew?)

Early on we saw a whale spout in the distance but never got close enough to see more than spume. Then magic happened. We came across a huge pod of dolphins. They swam with us, cavorting with the boat, leaping out of the water. I could even hear them sounding under water – something I hadn’t expected. I got dolphin snot on my sunglasses. After a while they swam off, but we caught up with them again on the way back and this time they stayed with us much longer.

I could have stayed out there all day, but the boys were starting to turn a little green so we turned toward harbor. Steve let me have a turn at the wheel, which was a blast. I was completely surprised at how sensitive the steering is.

Final surprise of the day: I’d only been standing on a small boat all afternoon, but I could hardly keep my head up through dinner.

Thank you, Cap’n Hook!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…